makes per cent. 30
The want of weight in his halfpenny, compared as above,
is per cent. 10
By all which (viz. coinage, profit, and want of weight)
--the public loses per cent. 60
If Mr. M'Culla's coins will not pass, and he refuses to receive them
back, the owner cannot sell them at above twelvepence per pound weight;
whereby, with the defect of weight of 10 per cent., he will lose 60 per
cent.
The scheme of the society, raised as high as it can possibly be, will be
only thus:
For interest of their money, per cent. 8
For coinage, instead of 10, suppose at most per cent. 20
For _l.300_ laid out for tools, a mint, and house-rent,
charge 3 per cent. upon the coinage of _l.10,000_, 3
----
Charges in all upon interest, coinage, &c. per cent., 31
Which, with all the advantages above-mentioned, of the goodness of the
metal, the largeness of the coin, the deepness and fairness of the
impression, the assurance of the society confining itself to such a sum
as they undertake, or as the kingdom shall approve; and lastly, their
paying in gold or silver for all their coin returned upon their hands
without any defalcation, would be of mighty benefit to the kingdom; and,
with a little steadiness and activity, could, I doubt not, be easily
compassed.
I would not in this scheme recommend the method of promissory notes,
after Mr. M'Culla's manner; but, as I have seen in old Irish coins, the
words CIVITAS DVBLIN, on one side, with the year of our Lord
and the Irish harp on the reverse.
A PROPOSAL
THAT
ALL THE LADIES AND WOMEN OF IRELAND
SHOULD APPEAR CONSTANTLY IN
IRISH MANUFACTURES.
NOTE.
The arguments advanced in this tract are practically repetitions of
those already given in previous pieces. Swift laid much stress on
the people buying and wearing goods made in Ireland, since in that
way the money would remain in the country. In this little tract he
winds up with a special appeal to the women of Ireland.
* * * * *
The present text is based on that of the quarto edition (vol.
viii.) of 1765, and compared with Faulkner'
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